MY GREENWICH VILLAGE: Dave, Bob and Me By Terri Thal, Published by McNidder & Grace

CONTACT: Marc Percansky

marc@magicmarcproductions.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MY GREENWICH VILLAGE: Dave, Bob and Me

By Terri Thal, Published by McNidder & Grace

Terri Thal was very much part of the folk music world in 1960s Greenwich Village. Few people

know that she was 21-year-old Bob Dylan’s first manager prior to his contracts with Albert

Grossman and Columbia Records. She also managed musician Dave Van Ronk (then her

husband) and others, including Maggie and Terre Roche and The Holy Modal Rounders. She

tells us about this in her new book, My Greenwich Village: Dave, Bob and Me, published by

McNidder & Grace.

Terri Thal has two passions: folk music and social justice. Her book is a personal story of the

world of folk music in 1960s New York, written by a Jewish woman from Brooklyn who,

although not a musician, was an intrinsic part of this scene. Terri describes Greenwich Village as

a community that was supportive, musically exciting, and one in which people had fun. She tells

us what it was like to hang out in the Village coffee houses, to host folk singers like Tom Paxton

and Phil Ochs, who spent evenings at her apartment, and to be a manager. We hear her views of

the “old-left” socialist organizations she was close to or joined.

Terri later merged her social justice work with her professional work in not-for-profit agencies,

handling public relations and fundraising, then as executive director. She’s retired now, but

continues to do some writing and grant writing for not-for-profits, and does environmental and

criminal justice reform work as a volunteer. Terri is an avid reader, writer and editor.

Greil Marcus has described Thal’s book as having “…a voice so full of vehemence it makes

everything interesting.” (Substack, September 18, 2023)

# # #

US Publication Date
5 October 2023
Hardback $32.95
ISBN 9780857162489
EBOOK
ISBN 9780857162496
FORMAT
240x162mm
EXTENT
232 Pages
ILLUSTRATIONS

16pp colour plate section

McNidder & Grace
www.mcnidderandgrace.com

MY GREENWICH VILLAGE Dave, Bob and Me - PRESS RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

A NEW BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR BY BOB DYLAN’S FIRST MANAGER

McNIDDER & 

GRACE

MY GREENWICH VILLAGE
Dave, Bob and Me
By Terri Thal

Terri Thal was very much a part of the folk music world in 1960s
Greenwich Village, New York. Few people know that she was 21-year-
old Bob Dylan’s first manager prior to his contract with Albert
Grossman and Columbia Records. She also managed musician Dave
Van Ronk (who later became her husband), and others to include the
Roche sisters, Paul Geremia and The Holy Modal Rounders. She
booked performances at coffee houses, clubs and basket houses. On 6
September 1961, she recorded a set from a young Bob at The Gaslight
Café – it is the first known live recording of his original songs - known
to Dylan fans as the First Gaslight Tape! Terri took this ‘audition’ tape
to clubs to try to get him gigs – and she still owns the original reel-to-
reel tape! She had many friends in Greenwich Village including Suze
Rotolo and a number of seminal 1960s folk musicians.

When Dave Van Ronk first saw young Bob performing in a club in
Greenwich Village he said ‘I just heard this kid who’s a fucking genius.
You’ve got to hear him.’ Within a few days I heard him play and agreed
with Dave. Bob Dylan asked me, ‘Would you get me gigs?’

US Publication Date
5 October 2023
Hardback $32.95
ISBN 9780857162489
EBOOK
ISBN 9780857162496

FORMAT
240x162mm

EXTENT
232 Pages
ILLUSTRATIONS
16pp colour plate section

DESCRIPTION

Terri Thal has two passions: folk music and social justice.

This is a personal story of the world of folk music in 1960s New York
written by a Jewish woman from Brooklyn who, although not a
musician, was an intrinsic part of this scene. Terri describes
Greenwich Village as a community that was supportive, musically
exciting and one in which people had fun.

Terri tells us what it was like to hang out in the Village coffee houses,
to host folk singers like Tom Paxton and Phil Ochs who hung out at
her apartment, and to be a manager. We hear her view and
involvement of the 1960s socialist organizations, and how she later
merged her professional work in not-for-profit agencies.

Terri Thal grew up in Brooklyn and in the 1960s and 70s lived in
Greenwich Village, hanging out with and managing folk singers such
as Dave Van Ronk, Bob Dylan and the Roche sisters. She was very
much a part of this vibrant and iconic music scene – as well as a
member of socialist organizations. As an avid campaigner for social
justice Terri went on to work for not-for-profit organizations, handling
PR and fundraising, then as executive director. She now spends her
time doing environmental and criminal justice reform work. Terri is an
avid reader, writer and editor.

Book launch September 12 at The Bitter End,
New York at The Village Trip Festival

‘No one was closer to all of it in Greenwich Village than Terri Thal.’
Tom Paxton, folk singer-songwriter

‘A fabulous glimpse into an era of music and politics that changed everything.’
Richard Barone, musician and author of Music + Revolution: Greenwich Village in the 1960s

‘Terri Thal’s candid and deeply personal memoir of the mythological Village of the Sixties answers questions so
many of us have had - and adds to our knowledge of the iconic musicians she befriended and worked with.’
David Browne, author of Fire and Rain: The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, CSNY, and the Lost
Story of 1970

‘When I began writing Bob Dylan In The Big Apple, there were a small number of key people that I was keen to interview. People who were integral not only to the Bob Dylan story but also to Greenwich Village and even New York itself. The most important of them all, Terri Thal, remained elusive. She was Dylan's first
manager, the spark at the heart of 60's Greenwich Village, and was eventually persuaded to contribute to my book. The most vibrant and informative of chapters. Of course. I whooped with delight at the news that Terri would give a rare interview to me... and finally with this book, the world at long last gets the whole story.’
K G Miles, co-author of Bob Dylan in Minnesota

‘Terri Thal, with her razor sharp wit, takes you right back to the late 50's and early

60's Greenwich Village folk scene along with behind the scenes on being Bob Dylan's

first manager. She was a huge link in Bob's chain of success. This is a must read book!'
Marc Percansky, co-author of Bob Dylan in Minnesota

CONTACT PUBLISHER
Andy Peden Smith
andy@mcnidderandgrace.co.uk

PRESS ENQUIRIES

caroline@mcnidderandgrace.co.uk

McNidder & Grace
www.mcnidderandgrace.com

Information:

https://mcnidderandgrace.com/terri-thal-my-greenwich-village

https://mcnidderandgrace.com/terri-thal

https://www.thevillagetrip.com/event/terri-thal/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGh8rdXtKqc

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLavQLnQ-Mnp-rPDOKcciLXmkOlxbqt-mO

Buy:

https://www.amazon.com/My-Greenwich-Village-Dave-Bob/dp/0857162489/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Greenwich-Village-Dave-Bob/dp/0857162489/

https://www.bobdylanisis.com/product/my-greenwich-village-dave-bob-and-me/

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-greenwich-village-terri-thal/1143542996?ean=9780857162489

“John Bushey Highway 61 Revisited Studio”

UMD News

University of Minnesota Duluth

June 12, 2017

Contact:

Ira Salmela | KUMD | (218) 213-6080 | isalmela@d.umn.edu

Lori C. Melton | University Marketing and Public Relations | (218) 726-8830 | lmelton@gmail.com

Media Advisory

What:                      Dedication of KUMD’s Studio B in honor of John Bushey, longtime host of “Highway 61 Revisited”

When:                     Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 4 p.m.

Where:                   KUMD Studios, Room 130 of UMD’s Humanities Building, 1201 Ordean Court

Who:                       John Bushey, Duluth Mayor Emily Larson, and community members

KUMD’s Tribute to the Troubadour’s Translator

“John Bushey Highway 61 Revisited Studio”

Duluth, MN – For the first time in its history, KUMD is naming one of its studios.

“John Bushey Highway 61 Revisited Studio” will be dedicated tomorrow, Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 4 p.m. at KUMD, room 130 of the Humanities Building, 1201 Ordean Court. Mayor Emily Larson will join Bushey and community members for the ceremony.

“It is wonderful to know that whenever a new student steps foot on UMD’s campus and should find an interest in the music of Bob Dylan, they will have a permanent sign to guide them on their journey,” says Marc Percansky, a concert promoter and friend of Bushey’s. “This new designation is a reminder of all the hard work that John Bushey has put forth over the years, and I wish him many more ahead.”

The event is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

An Unparalleled Dylanologist

“Highway 61 Revisited” was launched in 1990 when Bushey contributed his innate understanding off all things Bob Dylan. 

Bushey a consummate fan and Dylan historian with an extensive collection of recorded concerts, outtakes, and vintage recordings of Bob Dylan. He also has the attention and respect of Dylan fans across this country and around the world.

Since the show’s inception, Bushey has volunteered thousands of hours and featured hundreds of guests who share his passion for Dylan’s music.

“By maintaining such a high-profile show honoring Bob Dylan, Bushey has drawn attention to Dylan’s connections to the Northland and helped strengthen Duluth’s commitment to celebrating its native son,” says Maija Jenson, program director of KUMD.

“John Bushey’s commitment to his show, through good times and bad times, is deserving of exceptional honors,” says Jenson. “John has had significant health issues for more than 10 years and through treatments and health concerns, John has remained a dedicated KUMD volunteer host at KUMD.”

Duluth Mayor Emily Larson, officially proclaimed, October 15, 2016 as “John Bushey/KUMD Highway 61 Revisited Day.”

Our mission: The University of Minnesota Duluth integrates liberal education, research, creative activity, and public engagement and prepares students to thrive as lifelong learners and globally engaged citizens.

UMD offers 166 undergraduate majors and minors and more than 25 graduate degree programs. During the 2016 school year, 11,018 students enrolled. Find UMD online: www.d.umn.edu

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